NZ Births
🔍 ASHSearch URL:
Retrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.771 seconds
Source: BDMs by DIA / CC BY 4.0
| Registration | Family Name | Given Name(s) | Mother's Given Name(s) | Father's Given Name(s) | Still Birth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1912/11812 | Rolleston | John William | Mary Winifred | Francis Joseph | - | Order Product |
| 1942/65456 | Rolleston | William | Tupaea | William | - | Order Product |
| 1869/29462 | Rolleston | Lancelot William | Elizabeth Mary | William | - | Order Product |
NZ Marriages (Bride)
🔍 ASHSkipped as William is male and unlikely to be present in this single-sex search.
NZ Marriages (Bride, married surname)
🔍 ASHSkipped as William is male and unlikely to be present in this single-sex search.
NZ Marriages (Groom)
🔍 ASHSearch URL:
Retrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 1.331 seconds
Source: BDMs by DIA / CC BY 4.0
| Registration | Bride's Given Name(s) | Bride's Family Name | Groom's Given Name(s) | Groom's Family Name | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1947/16853 | Carne Airini Rhodes | Woodhouse | John William | Rolleston | Order Product |
| 1865/7651 | Elizabeth Mary | Brittan | William | Rolleston | Order Product |
NZ Births (Mother)
🔍 ASHSkipped as William is male and unlikely to be present in this single-sex search.
NZ Deaths
🔍 ASHSearch URL:
Retrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 3.076 seconds
Source: BDMs by DIA / CC BY 4.0
| Registration | Family Name | Given Name(s) | Born (approx.) | Age at Death (approx.) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993/40163 | Rolleston | John William | 15 April 1912 🔍NZ | 81 years | Order Product |
| 1916/4981 | Rolleston | William | 1836 | 80Y | Order Product |
| 1903/1761 | Rolleston | William | 1832 | 71Y | Order Product |
Gisborne Photo News (1954-1975, 1993–1996)
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://photonews.org.nz/gisborne/search/results?type=section&text=%22William+Rolleston%22
Retrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.125 seconds
No results found.
Nelson Photo News (1960-1972)
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://photonews.org.nz/nelson/search/results?type=section&text=%22William+Rolleston%22
Retrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.122 seconds
No results found.
Tributes Online (obituaries)
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://www.tributes.co.nz/Webform1.aspx/GetTributes
Retrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.143 seconds
No results found.
Whanganui Council Property Rolls
Rolleston, William 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://wdc.whanganui.govt.nz/propertyrolls/data.aspx?id=search
Retrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.21 seconds
No results found.
Te Papa Collections - People
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://data.tepapa.govt.nz/collection/search?q=type:Person+AND+title:(William+AND+Rolleston)
Retrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.089 seconds
Source: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa / CC BY 4.0
| Name | Birth | Birthplace | Death | Died at | Gender | Nationality |
| William Rolleston | 19 Sep 1831 | Maltby | 8 Feb 1903 | Rangitata | Male | New Zealander |
Otago Nominal Index
🔍 ASHSearch URL:
Retrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 3.021 seconds
No results found.
NZ Presbyterian Marriages
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.363 seconds
No results found.
Shadows of Time
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.367 seconds
No results found.
Our Stuff - Denise & Peter's NZ history site
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 1.007 seconds
Source: Our Stuff by Denise and Peter on Rootsweb / "All information, lists and stories on this site may be freely linked to"
Daniel Port Chalmers Rolleston William Christchurch Rookes Charles Cecil Christchurch Ross George Arthur Emilius Christchurch Ross Frederick Patea, Taranaki Rough David Nelson
https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~ourstuff/genealogy/JP1868M-Z.htm
JP'sN- Z
Joseph Glenquoich Southland Rolleston William Wellington Rookes Charles Cecil Christchurch Ross George Arthur Emilius Christchurch Rough David Nelson Rountree Thomas Stephenson
https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~ourstuff/genealogy/JP1866N-Z.htm
Sooty NZ (NZ history and genealogical information)
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.365 seconds
Source: Sooty.nz by Christine Clement / included here with her kind permission
Lancelot ROLLESTON John William ROLLESTON William Lancelot RONALDS Tennent Clive Fosbery RONALDS Cracroft Fosbery RONALDSON Charles William Huthwaite ROSS Ian David Hedgeland
https://sooty.nz/christscollegeROHww1.html
NZ Genealogy Research Made Easy
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.989 seconds
No results found.
Transcriptions NZ
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.524 seconds
Source: Transcriptions NZ / courtesy of Beverley Evans
Amelia Frances, d. 19 Dec. 1928, age 80, photo 424 ROLLESTON - William, b. 19 Sept. 1831 at Maltby, Yorkshire, d. 8 Feb. 1903, age 71, photo 425 Superintendent Canterbury 1868 -
https://www.transcriptions.nz/Gravestone.Photos/Avonside.gravestone.inscriptions...
Alexander Turnbull Library
Rolleston, William 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://tiaki.natlib.govt.nz/imu/request.php
Retrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.178 seconds
Showing first 20 results
Source: Alexander Turnbull Library by National Library / CC BY 3.0 NZ
| Title | Summary | Thumbnail |
| Christchurch Botanic Gardens, featuring the Avon River and the base of statue of William Rolleston in the background | WA-38374-F. Christchurch Botanic Gardens, featuring the Avon River and the base of statue of William Rolleston in the background. May 1955. Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs (PA-Group-00080). [Item] | |
| Blomfield, William, 1866-1938 :Our cartoons, no. V. Whist! The bogie man! Mr Rolleston, in the character of the Political Bogie Man, opens the electoral campaign. Supplement to the New Zealand times, October 28, 1893. | A-225-023. Blomfield, William, 1866-1938 :Our cartoons, no. V. Whist! The bogie man! Mr Rolleston, in the character of the Political Bogie Man, opens the electoral campaign. Supplement to the New Zealand times, October 28, 1893.. Various artists :[Clippings of cartoons published in New Zealand newspapers. 1890s-1905]. (A-225-021/041). [Item] | |
| William Rolleston | PAColl-7489-87. William Rolleston. 1881. Original photographic prints and postcards from the file print collection, Box 17 (PAColl-7489). [Piece] | |
| Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch, including base of statue of William Rolleston and the Canterbury University College building in the background | WA-38373-F. Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch, including base of statue of William Rolleston and the Canterbury University College building in the background. May 1955. Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs (PA-Group-00080). [Item] | |
| Correspondence | 79-287-1A. Correspondence. [ca 1840-1927]. Rolleston family : Further papers (79-287). [Item] | |
| Blomfield, William, 1866-1938 :Our cartoons, no. VI. Peace to his ashes. Sacred to the memory of class legislation in New Zealand. [4 November 1893]. | A-225-024. Blomfield, William, 1866-1938 :Our cartoons, no. VI. Peace to his ashes. Sacred to the memory of class legislation in New Zealand. [4 November 1893].. Various artists :[Clippings of cartoons published in New Zealand newspapers. 1890s-1905]. (A-225-021/041). [Item] | |
| Bowring, Walter Armiger, 1874-1931 :Cartoons [of important New Zealanders]. Vol 1. 1899-1900 | E-962-f-1. Bowring, Walter Armiger, 1874-1931 :Cartoons [of important New Zealanders]. Vol 1. 1899-1900. Various artists :1. Wilson, Laurence William, 1851-1912. Photolithographs of watercolour drawings of New Zealand. [1910?] 2. Department of Maori Affairs. Maori housing. Departmental Standard plans. [1953-1954] 3. Walter Armiger Bowring, 1874-1931. [Cartoons of important New Zealanders]. 1902-1903 (E-962). [Item] | |
| William Rolleston | 1/2-111099-F. William Rolleston. [ca 1899]. Wilson, Rosamond Russell, 1910-1981 : Photographs of the Rolleston family and associations (PAColl-2071). [Item] | |
| William Rolleston | PAColl-5381-04. William Rolleston. ca 1870s. Haast family: Collection (ATL-Group-00475). [Piece] | |
| Bishop's correspondence and related papers | 89-008-09/07. Bishop's correspondence and related papers. 1850-1876, 1903, n d. Church of the Province of New Zealand. Wellington Diocese : Further records (89-008). [Item] | |
| William Rolleston | MS-Papers-0171-4-02. William Rolleston. 5 May 1880. Haast family: Collection (ATL-Group-00475). [Piece] | |
| Rolleston family : Further papers | 79-287. Rolleston family : Further papers. 1868-1949. [Collection] | |
| Canterbury College. Christchurch | Pan-1454-F. Canterbury College. Christchurch. Between 1923 and 1928. Moore, Robert Percy, 1881-1948 :Panoramic photographs of New Zealand (PA-Group-00376). [Item] | |
| Boy looking up at statue, Christchurch | PAColl-10563-095-85. Boy looking up at statue, Christchurch. 1947-1948. Turnbull Library Pictures: Original photographic prints and postcards from the File Prints Collection (ATL-Group-00208). [Piece] | |
| Rolleston family : Papers | MS-Papers-7276. Rolleston family : Papers. 1858 (2001), 1900, 1946. [Item] | |
| [Ephemera of up to A3 size relating to New Zealand persons whose surnames begin with N-Z] | Eph-C-PEOPLE-N/Z-1900s. [Ephemera of up to A3 size relating to New Zealand persons whose surnames begin with N-Z]. 1903-1997. [Item] | |
| William Rolleston entering parliament buildings, Wellington | PAColl-2071-2. William Rolleston entering parliament buildings, Wellington. 1899. Wilson, Rosamond Russell, 1910-1981 : Photographs of the Rolleston family and associations (PAColl-2071). [Piece] | |
| [Creator unknown] :Plan of Hagley Park, shewing proposed rides [ms map]. Sept, 1882 | MapColl-834.4492gbbg/1882/Acc.39356. [Creator unknown] :Plan of Hagley Park, shewing proposed rides [ms map]. Sept, 1882. [Item] | |
| Corner of Worcestor Street and Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch, showing the statue of William Rolleston and Canterbury University | 1/2-152591-G. Corner of Worcestor Street and Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch, showing the statue of William Rolleston and Canterbury University. [1910s-1930s]. Head, Samuel Heath, 1868-1948 :Negatives (PA-Group-00261). [Item] | |
| Gates of Victoria Park | APG-2058-1/2-G. Gates of Victoria Park. Godber, Albert Percy, 1875-1949 :Collection of albums, prints and negatives (PA-Group-00048). [Item] |
DigitalNZ
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.336 seconds
Source: DigitalNZ by NZ DIA / Fair Use
| Thumbnail | Article | Description | Author | Source |
| William Rolleston - William Rolleston : a New Zealand statesman | William Downie Stewart | New Zealand Electronic Text Collection / Victoria University of Wellington | ||
| Inward letters - William Rolleston | 10 letters and one memo written from Wellington and Christchurch, 1865-1984, & undated Quantity: 1 folder(s). | Not specified | TAPUHI / Alexander Turnbull Library | |
 |
William Rolleston | South Canterbury Museum / South Canterbury Museum | ||
 |
William Rolleston, about 1870 | Dictionary of New Zealand Biography / Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage | ||
| William Rolleston | William Rolleston, circa 1870. Photographer unidentified. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative | Not specified | TAPUHI / Alexander Turnbull Library | |
 |
William Rolleston, doctor | South Canterbury Museum / South Canterbury Museum | ||
| Portrait of the Hon William Rolleston | Portrait of the Hon William Rolleston. Photpgraphed by Stanley Polkinghorne Andrew Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Glass negative | Not specified | TAPUHI / Alexander Turnbull Library | |
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Hon. Wm. Rolleston, member for Riccarton | Hon. William Rolleston, member for Riccarton. | New Zealand Graphic | Kura Heritage Collections Online / Auckland Libraries |
 |
Hon. W. Rolleston, Riccarton (Op.) | Hon. William Rolleston, (Conservative Party), Riccarton. | New Zealand Graphic | Kura Heritage Collections Online / Auckland Libraries |
 |
William Rolleston : a New Zealand statesman | Stewart, William Downie, 1878-1949 | South Canterbury Museum / South Canterbury Museum | |
 |
William Rolleston Memorial Lamp, Temuka | Bartholomew, Keith J | South Canterbury Museum / South Canterbury Museum | |
 |
The late Hon. W. Rolleston, who died at Rangitata, Canterbury, N.Z., February 8, 1903 | Portrait of the late Hon. William Rolleston, who died at Rangitata, Canterbury. | Auckland Weekly News | Kura Heritage Collections Online / Auckland Libraries |
| William Rolleston : a New Zealand statesman / by William Downie Stewart. | Stewart, William Downie, 1878-1949 | National Library of New Zealand Catalogue / National Library of New Zealand | ||
| William Rolleston | William Rolleston during his last days in Parliament, circa 1899. Photographer unidentified. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film copy negative | Not specified | TAPUHI / Alexander Turnbull Library | |
 |
The Hon. W. Rolleston | Portrait of the Honourable William Rolleston. | New Zealand Graphic; Wrigglesworth and Binns (Firm) | Kura Heritage Collections Online / Auckland Libraries |
| Wrigglesworth, J D (Wellington) fl 1863-1900 :Portrait The Hon. William Rolleston, 1831-1903, Native Minister and Minister for Lands | Inscriptions: Verso - The Hon. William Rolleston. Native Minister and Minster for Lands Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). | Wrigglesworth, James Dacie, 1836-1906 | TAPUHI / Alexander Turnbull Library | |
 |
Them's my sentiments | 'The Leader of the Opposition at Auckland City Hall, March 6th. (With apologies to Max O'Rell's billsticker)'. Political cartoon about an address given by William Rolleston. | New Zealand Graphic; Hunter, Ashley John Barsby, 1854-1932 | Kura Heritage Collections Online / Auckland Libraries |
 |
Recent events | Recent events of social note: William Rolleston, William Pember Reeves, Valentines Day, New Zealand jingoism (about Hawai'i) and racism (anti-Chinese). | New Zealand Graphic; Hunter, Ashley John Barsby, 1854-1932 | Kura Heritage Collections Online / Auckland Libraries |
William Rolleston, about 1870
Dictionary of New Zealand Biography / Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Hon. Wm. Rolleston, member for Riccarton
Hon. William Rolleston, member for Riccarton.
New Zealand Graphic
Kura Heritage Collections Online / Auckland Libraries
Hon. W. Rolleston, Riccarton (Op.)
Hon. William Rolleston, (Conservative Party), Riccarton.
New Zealand Graphic
Kura Heritage Collections Online / Auckland Libraries
William Rolleston : a New Zealand statesman
Stewart, William Downie, 1878-1949
South Canterbury Museum / South Canterbury Museum
William Rolleston Memorial Lamp, Temuka
Bartholomew, Keith J
South Canterbury Museum / South Canterbury Museum
The late Hon. W. Rolleston, who died at Rangitata, Canterbury, N.Z., February 8, 1903
Portrait of the late Hon. William Rolleston, who died at Rangitata, Canterbury.
Auckland Weekly News
Kura Heritage Collections Online / Auckland Libraries
The Hon. W. Rolleston
Portrait of the Honourable William Rolleston.
New Zealand Graphic; Wrigglesworth and Binns (Firm)
Kura Heritage Collections Online / Auckland Libraries
Them's my sentiments
'The Leader of the Opposition at Auckland City Hall, March 6th. (With apologies to Max O'Rell's billsticker)'. Political cartoon about an address given by William Rolleston.
New Zealand Graphic; Hunter, Ashley John Barsby, 1854-1932
Kura Heritage Collections Online / Auckland Libraries
Recent events
Recent events of social note: William Rolleston, William Pember Reeves, Valentines Day, New Zealand jingoism (about Hawai'i) and racism (anti-Chinese).
New Zealand Graphic; Hunter, Ashley John Barsby, 1854-1932
Kura Heritage Collections Online / Auckland Libraries
Legacy.com NZ Obituaries
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.357 seconds
No results found.
Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://api.aucklandmuseum.com/search/cenotaph/_search
Retrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.106 seconds
Source: Online Cenotaph by Auckland War Memorial Museum / CC BY 4.0
John William Rolleston
11422 World War II, 1939-1945 Single/WWII Mrs. Winifred M. Rolleston, 25 Le Crens Tce., Timaru (mother) Timaru/Canterbury/New Zealand Solicitor/Civilian Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Third Echelon Infantry Reinforcements Second Lieutenant War Medal 1939-1945 New Zealand War Service MedalTe Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.235 seconds
Source: DigitalNZ by NZ DIA / Fair Use
| Thumbnail | Article | Description | Author | Source |
 |
Rolleston, William | New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu Taonga | Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand / Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage | |
| ROLLESTON, William | In 1966 the first encyclopedia of New Zealand was published in three thick volumes. An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand was a critical and publishing success at the time, and has been used as a basic reference work about the country since then. We are proud to make it available online. | McLintock, Alexander Hare William James Gardner, M.A., Senior Lecturer, History Department, University of Canterbury. New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu Taonga |
Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand / Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage | |
|
William Rolleston, about 1870 | New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu Taonga | Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand / Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage | |
| Canterbury places: Ellesmere district | Rolleston Town 22 km south-west from Christchurch, named for Canterbury’s last provincial superintendent, William Rolleston. It was once a small railway junction, where the West Coast railway line leaves the main line. A 1972–74 plan for a substantial ‘new town&... | New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu Taonga | Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand / Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage | |
| Mountaineering: Beyond the central Southern Alps | Outside the Aoraki/Mt Cook region Guided climbing was based at the Hermitage hotel, but the early climbers also visited ranges beyond the central Southern Alps. Harry Birley climbed the East Peak of Mt Earnslaw in 1890. Guy Mannering climbed the Low Peak of Mt Rolleston, above Arthur... | New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu Taonga | Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand / Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage |
Rolleston, William
New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu Taonga
Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand / Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
William James Gardner, M.A., Senior Lecturer, History Department, University of Canterbury.
New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu Taonga Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand / Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
William Rolleston, about 1870
New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu Taonga
Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand / Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Find A Grave (NZ cemeteries)
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.313 seconds
Source: FindAGrave / limited search result excerpts for non-commercial personal research
| Name | Born | Died | Cemetery | Cemetery location | Region |
| William Rolleston | 19 Sep 1831 🔍 | 8 Feb 1903 🔍 📰 | Avonside Anglican Cemetery | Avonside, Christchurch City | Canterbury |
Kura Heritage Collections (Auckland)
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.255 seconds
Source: Copyright Auckland Council Libraries Heritage Collections / non-commercial personal use
| Title | Date | Record type |
| Rolleston, Hon. William | Index Cards | |
| Rolleston, Rosamund | Index Cards | |
| Rolleston, Rosamund | Index Cards | |
| Rolleston, William, 1831-1903 | Index Cards | |
| Rolleston, John William | Index Cards | |
| Rolleston, Mrs William | Index Cards | |
| Rolleston, William | Index Cards |
Upper Hutt City Libraries Heritage Collections
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.17 seconds
No results found.
NZ Electronic Text Centre
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.006 seconds
No results found.
Archives NZ
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://archway.howison.co.nz/ajax/simple.php?search=%22william%22+AND+%22rolleston%22&simple_view=1
Retrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.653 seconds
Source: Archives NZ Collections Search / CC BY / via Archway
Justice Department > Inwards letters and registered files
Department of Lands > Central filing system
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Land for State Housing - Rolleston: Claim - Mrs J L Green, William Street | 1975 | Wellington | Open |
Department of Internal Affairs, Head Office > Central filing system
Land Information New Zealand [LINZ] Christchurch Processing Centre > Alexandra Land Tenure Case files
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| G R Innes - Dunstan Downs - Run 201A Longslip, Ahuriri, Hawkdun, Lindis and St Bathan's Survey Districts | 1960 ‑ 1978 | Dunedin | Open |
Auckland Provincial Government > Superintendent General Government inward correspondence
Wellington High Court > Wellington probate files (first sequence)
| Name | Scan | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| GLEN William Henry | 1937 | Wellington | Open |
High Court Auckland, Department of Justice > Auckland Appeals files
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Case on appeal in the Northern Supreme Court between Charles William Hendry, Auckland, Police Sergeant, appellant and James Rolleston, Auckland, Licensee of Central Hotel, respondent | 1903 | Auckland | Open |
High Court Auckland, Department of Justice > Auckland actions/civil proceedings files
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Action File - William Giles Brown of Rolleston Street Thames Carpenter v D B Waite Limited of Penrose building contractors | 1960 | Auckland | Open |
High Court Auckland, Department of Justice > Auckland Divorce files
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Potae, Jocelyn Joan v Potae, George William and Rolleston, Violet | 1975 ‑ 1978 | Auckland | Restricted |
Land Information New Zealand, Hamilton Regional Office > Inwards Correspondence
Housing Corporation of New Zealand, Christchurch District Office > Housing Corporation of New Zealand, Christchurch District Office, Registered Correspondence Files
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Land for housing - Mrs J.L. Green, Williams Street, Rolleston | 1975 ‑ 1983 | Christchurch | Restricted |
Timaru Court Office > Timaru Probate Files
| Name | Scan | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| ROLLESTON John William - Timaru - Solicitor | 1993 | Christchurch | Open | |
| ROLLESTON Carne Airini Rhodes - Timaru - wife of John William | 1988 | Christchurch | Open |
Christchurch High Court > Christchurch Supreme/High Court Miscellaneous Files
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Christchurch High Court Miscellaneous file - In the matter of The Mortgagors and Tenants Relief Act 1933 and in the matter of a Lease from WILLIAM DOUBLEDAY to GORDON WOLSELEY WRIGHT and EWART ROLLESTON WRIGHT. | 1933 ‑ 1934 | Christchurch | Open |
Christchurch High Court > Christchurch Probate files
New Zealand Railways Corporation, Railfreight Systems, Regional Office Southern > District Engineer's Office Christchurch (Railways) Registered Files
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Lease 46318 Rolleston - Bruce William Bamford | 1974 ‑ 1976 | Christchurch | Open |
Wellington High Court > Wellington divorce files
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Rennie, Moira Jean v Rennie, William Rolleston | 1972 | Wellington | Restricted |
Maori Land Court, Auckland > Papers of the Ngaruawahia Compensation Court
| Name | Scan | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Compensation Court Ngaruawahia - ... the use and occupation of the ... numbers 581 and 582, advertised for ... one rood and twenty-four perches, to ... | 1867 | Auckland | Open |
Department of Lands and Survey, Christchurch District Office > Inwards Correspondence of the Secretary for Railways [ICR]
Land Information New Zealand, National Office > Historical photographs
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Minister of Lands: Hon. William Rolleston, (S.P. Andrew, Wellington & Auckland) - October 1879 | 1879 | Wellington | Open |
Department of Lands and Survey, Christchurch District Office > Public Records Office records
Department of Lands and Survey, Christchurch District Office > Papers of the [Canterbury] Provincial Council
| Name | Scan | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Session 19 - Papers and Returns - Report of William Rolleston on Christ's College Grammar School - 1 Oct 1862 | 1862 | Christchurch | Open | |
| Session 24 - Papers and Returns - Memorandum from William Rolleston regarding the Medical Superintendent of the hospital of Christchurch - 21 Nov 1865 | 1865 | Christchurch | Open |
Department of Lands and Survey, Christchurch District Office > Inwards Correspondence of the Secretary for Public Works [ICPW]
Department of Lands and Survey, Christchurch District Office > Inwards Correspondence to the Provincial Secretary [ICPS]
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Colonial Secretary to Superintendent ... | 1869 | Christchurch | Open |
Department of Justice, Head Office > Coroners inquest files
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Coroners Inquests - Case Files - Auckland - [Cause and origin of a fire in the house and premises of William Deeble of Rolleston Street] [Use copy MICRO U 5395] | 1891 | Wellington | Open |
Wellington Province Government > General Inwards Correspondence, Inward Letters from Commissioner of Crown Lands & the General Government
Accession CH63
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Scheme Plan - J.L. Green Rolleston [William St] Title Plan | 1976 | Christchurch | Open |
| Scheme Plan - Part J.L. Green Block Rolleston [William St] Re subdivision | 1978 | Christchurch | Open |
Accession CH195
| Name | Held At | Access |
| WESTPORT, COBDEN, DOBSON, HOKITIKA. ... showing services and house type and Block Plan. SUBURB: ... Sections 166-167 and 287 being held ... | Christchurch | Open |
Department of Lands and Survey, Head Office > Registered files of Surveyor-General and Department of Lands and Survey
Tinui History
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://www.tinuihistory.org/_/search?query=%22Rolleston%2C+William%22+OR+%22William+Rolleston%22&scope=site
Retrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 2.042 seconds
Source: Tinui History by Caryl Forrest / included here with her kind permission
Masterton Anglican History
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 2.049 seconds
No results found.
Tasman Heritage
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.173 seconds
No results found.
West Coast NZ History
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/search?datefrom=&dateto=&keywords=William+Rolleston&type=phrase
Retrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.34 seconds
Source: West Coast New Zealand History (via RECOLLECT) / limited search result excerpts for private study or research
Archives Central (Manawatū-Whanganui)
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.557 seconds
No results found.
Canterbury Museum Collections - People
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://collection.canterburymuseum.com/persons?view=list&query=pe_sym_name_lf%3A%22Rolleston%2C+William%22
Retrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.594 seconds
Source: Canterbury Museum / CC BY NC
| Name | Born | Died | Place of birth | Place of death | Nationality | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rolleston, William
|
b.1831
|
d.1903
|
||||
|
Mrs Rolleston, William
|
Lower Hutt MyRecollect
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 0.418 seconds
No results found.
Dictionary of NZ Biography (Scholefield, 1940)
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://dict-bio.howison.co.nz/ash_search/?s=William+Rolleston
Retrieved at 4:53pm, 28 March 2025 in 1.662 seconds
Indexed by Luke Howison, 2023
Source: A Dictionary of NZ Biography, by Scholefield (1940), from NZ History / CC BY-NC 3.0 NZ
| Name | Biography | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| William Rolleston | ROLLESTON, WILLIAM (1831-1903) was born at Maltby, near Doncaster, Yorkshire, on 19 Sep 1831, and was a son of the Rev George Rolleston, M.A., rector of the parish and squire. He was educated at Rossall under the headmastership of Dr Woolley (afterwards principal of the University of Sydney). He then passed on to Cambridge, entering at Emmanuel College in 1851. Next year he won a foundation scholarship, and in 1855 he graduated B.A. with honours in the classical tripos. A brother, Dr George Rolleston, M.D., F.R.S. (d. 1881) was a distinguished professor of physiology at Oxford. After leaving Cambridge Rolleston spent some time in private tuition, and in 1858 sailed for New Zealand in the Regina. He had made up his mind to go on the land, and without delay took up a run at Mount Algidus in the forks of the Rakaia, close to Lake Coleridge. Rolleston threw himself heart and soul into the arduous work of landowning and did everything possible to improve his property, particularly in the treatment of the soil and the planting of trees. The fact that much of the surrounding country was explored by him accounts for the prevalence of classical names in the neighbourhood. Later he took up a property on the sea coast near the mouth of the Rangitata river, where he lived during most of his public life. Rolleston took an early interest in public affairs. In 1863 he was appointed a member of a select commission to suggest a scheme of education for the province, his colleagues being Tancred, Dr Lillie, and Saunders. They visited all the schools in the province and brought down a report which recommended placing the whole of them under the control of a board of education. In 1875, when he held the more responsible position of Superintendent and had a Colonial position as well, Rolleston said: 'Our best policy would be to make education free in all Government schools; and such a result is, as I think, but the corollary upon the adoption of any responsibility by the state in the matter of education.' Two years later, when the Colonial system was under discussion, he declared himself convinced that the education provided by the state should also be secular. At the end of 1863, when Bealey was Superintendent, Rolleston was persuaded to let himself be elected for Heathcote to the Provincial Council, and to assume the office of provincial secretary, which he held until Jun 1865. In that year gold digging commenced at various points on the western side of the Alps, and in Mar a great rush of miners set in to Westland from other provinces of New Zealand and from Australia. Though Canterbury was a pastoral province, it was essential that she should see that people on both sides of the range reaped the fruits of the new prosperity. As provincial secretary, Rolleston proceeded across the range with Rochfort and other officers to set up the machinery of government there. Rolleston and Hall, as representing the Canterbury government, and Dobson, Rochfort, and the other officials who went with them, did everything possible to meet the emergency. Rolleston's part was so well done that when Bealey retired from the superintendency in the middle of 1866, he was requested (but declined) to stand for the chief magistracy. He was, in fact, deeply engrossed in the duties of Under-secretary for Native Affairs, which he accepted in Jun 1865 at the invitation of Weld and carried out with zeal and efficiency for three years. In this post he demonstrated not merely his interest in education and his sympathy with the Maori people, but his capacity for administration. His term of office had a most beneficial effect upon the native village school system. In May 1868 Rolleston resigned from the Native office to devote his full attention to provincial affairs. The superintendency had again become vacant and his supporters, preferring his caution to the freer disposition of Moorhouse, persuaded him to stand. He was duly elected, and took office as a strong provincialist, but not altogether satisfied with the provincial system as it then existed. He frankly wanted it simplified, but did not look with favour on the proposal, which was then before the country, for the severance of the whole of the province south of the Rangitata and its erection, for all practical purposes, into a separate province. He was quite willing to give the southern district the whole of its revenue for local works, but 'unity of government' (he declared) 'is essential to our future greatness as a nation.' He took a strong stand also upon the administration of the railways, which he contended must be independent of the changing politics of the day. On the constitutional question Rolleston strove hard for a solution of the friction that existed amongst council, superintendent, and executive. In common with such shrewd provincialists as Ormond and McLean, he believed that the superintendent should have a seat in the council and be in close touch with it, instead of communicating by means of messages and addresses. He went so far as to be nominated for a seat in the Council, but at the last moment withdrew and sought a solution in another direction by offering to regard the whole Council as his executive and to carry on the administration himself with the assistance of a clerk or two. From the outset of his superintendency he saw clearly the spectre of abolition in the future and urged his Council to take steps betimes to simplify and improve the system, though unquestionably it had enabled Canterbury to do very much for herself. During his superintendency Rolleston promoted immigration as the best precaution against slumps in the future. Though he strongly opposed the Vogel policy of borrowing, he entered heart and soul into the immigration proposals, and was proud of the fact that the population of Canterbury increased from 45,000 in 1870 to 59,000 in 1874. Rolleston had to defend the superintendency in 1870 against Moorhouse, who came out unexpectedly as a candidate and was defeated by 1,800 votes to 897. At the end of that term he was re-elected unopposed, and saw the provincial system to its close. He promoted public works throughout the province, especially the harbour works at Lyttelton and Timaru, and the railways, which, however, were taken over by the General Government before the abolition. In Feb 1876 Rolleston presided at the opening of the railway from Christchurch to Timaru, and a few days later at the opening of the Amberley line. To meet the discontent of the outdistricts, he agreed to the setting up of the Timaru and Gladstone board of works, which for several years before the abolition, had the spending of the whole of the revenues raised in its district. He took an interest in the establishment of the Museum at Christchurch, which he opened, and the words cut over the entrance door were placed there by him at a later date. A provincial exhibition was held during his superintendency. The question of education was never at rest for long. In 1870, and again in 1874, bills were passed by the Provincial Council dealing with the Canterbury system, which was one of the most successful in the colony. Rolleston strongly opposed the administration of education by the executive of the day. He believed that salaries of teachers and administration should be entirely removed from the vicissitudes of party politics. When an ordinance was presented to him in 1875, which proposed to hand over the administration to the executive, he refused to sign it. In the parliamentary struggles on abolition, Rolleston staunchly defended the provinces, and was able to adduce good evidence from the case of Canterbury that they had justified themselves. When at length they were extinguished, in 1876, he received a valuable mark of the esteem of the people of Canterbury. A few weeks after his election to the superintendency in 1868 Rolleston was elected unopposed to succeed Reeves as member for Avon in the General Assembly. He went to Wellington well equipped by official experience in native matters, and he launched a well-informed attack upon the native policy of the Stafford government, which he declared could never produce peace on the west coast of the North Island. Next year he moved for the appointment of a commission to visit every native district and ascertain the position of the natives. Rolleston's position in the House steadily improved, and he was plainly marked out for office as soon as the party which he supported should gain the ascendancy. The great popularity of Grey staved this off for a while. Rolleston had come out in 1873 as a champion against the 'gridironers' in Canterbury, and many of his supporters could not understand how he could oppose Grey in 1877. When at length Grey's government came to an end (Oct 1879) and Hall took office, Rolleston was entrusted with the departments of Lands, Immigration, and Education, for each of which he had special qualifications. Later he took also Justice and Mines, and for a few months in 1881, during the retirement of Bryce from the ministry, he administered Native Affairs. Always cautious, and leaning towards clemency to the Maori, he was reluctant to put into effect the Parihaka policy which was eventually adopted by the government. Rolleston resigned from the cabinet, but when the policy was adopted he insisted on signing the proclamation, and when Bryce set about carrying it through Rolleston proceeded to Pungarehu, and by his presence identified himself with the Government. Though he had to bear the odium which this policy excited in a South Island constituency, he was returned unopposed for Avon at the general election of 1881. Rolleston in the next few years put into effect some liberal ideas in land legislation. He believed in deferred payments, but he feared to establish a tenantry either of the moneylenders or of the crown. Preferring the latter as the less evil, he introduced the perpetual lease into his land bill of 1882. Continuing to hold the portfolios of Lands, Mines, and Immigration in the Whitaker and Atkinson governments, he got the perpetual lease extended in 1884. At the general election in that year he defeated A. Cox for Geraldine, but on the retirement of the Atkinson government a few weeks later he became a private member. In 1887 he was defeated for Rangitata by S. Buxton. In 1890 he fought the Halswell seat against F. S. Parker, and won, and during this Parliament he was leader of the Opposition. In 1893 he again sustained defeat (in the Ellesmere electorate), his opponent being W. H. Montgomery. At the general election in 1896 Rolleston defeated G. W. Russell for Riccarton by 1,834 to 1,443. In 1899 the tables were turned, Russell winning by a single vote (1,867 and 1,866). Rolleston then retired definitely from politics. Amongst his activities outside of Parliament education always had him as its servant. For many years he acted on the Canterbury education board. For a few years (1873-75) he was a member of the board of governors of Canterbury College. From the foundation of the New Zealand University in 1871 until his death he was a member of the senate. He was also on the governing body of Christ's College from its early years until his death. The foundation of the Deaf and Dumb Institution at Sumner in 1880 was due almost entirely to the interest which he took in the matter as Minister for Education. Many Canterbury educational buildings came into existence during his administration as Superintendent and as Minister, and he took steps to endow them from the landed estate of the province. After the election of 1899 Rolleston retired to his estate at Rangitata, where he died on 8 Feb 1903. He married in 1865 Elizabeth Mary, daughter of Joseph Brittan, one of the Canterbury Pilgrims. Two of his sons, FRANCIS JOSEPH (born 1873) and JOHN CHRISTOPHER (born 1877), became members of the House of Representatives in 1922. The former was Attorney-general and Minister for Justice and Defence in the Coates ministry (1926-28). Gisborne says of Rolleston: 'There is nothing volatile, in the ordinary sense, about Rolleston; on the contrary a vein of doggedness runs through his nature. When he wavers it is from excess of conscientious doubt as to what is right, but he is firm enough in trying to do it when convinced, and that quality has made him from time to time amenable to the logic of facts. As Minister for Lands, he has been liberal, prudent, and far-sighted, and has done much to discourage mere speculation and to promote real settlement. He is a very good administrator. He dislikes red tape and procrastination, and has a horror of the system of how not to do a thing which he thinks should be done. He has a great aptitude for official business, and in its transaction he is clear, methodical, and industrious. He is intelligent, well-educated, earnest, and animated by the highest motives. What he lacks is decision of character and definiteness of purpose. He is too sensitive and emotional. His feelings are too highly charged, and move him to and fro by jerks and starts. He is so anxious to do what is right that he is more afraid of doing what is wrong; and he wavers between opposite poles. These dual forces make his political motives somewhat unsteady, and, in a party view, irregular.' Saunders says: 'He was the most profound thinker, the most highly educated, the best read, and the most experienced and well-informed minister upon practical political questions. His fastidious determination to say exactly the right thing in exactly the right words made him usually hesitate over the selection until the main effect of his speech was spoiled. 'As a writer or conversationalist he was effective, interesting, and very original.' Sir Robert Stout said: 'I do not know anyone who gave a better example of what classical culture could do in humanising mankind. It was an education in itself to discuss with him some literary, historical, or political subject.' App. H.R., 1901, A4; Cant. P.C. Proc.; N.Z.P.D., pass (notably 30 Jun 1903); Gisborne (p); Cox; Saunders (p); Reeves; E. Wakefield; Beaglehole; 1901; The Press, 10, 16, 19, 20, 22 Feb 1903, 19 Mar 1903, 2 Apr 1903, 8 Mar 1990 (p). Portrait: Parliament House. | Volume 2, page 129 |
ROLLESTON, WILLIAM (1831-1903) was born at Maltby, near Doncaster, Yorkshire, on 19 Sep 1831, and was a son of the Rev George Rolleston, M.A., rector of the parish and squire. He was educated at Rossall under the headmastership of Dr Woolley (afterwards principal of the University of Sydney). He then passed on to Cambridge, entering at Emmanuel College in 1851. Next year he won a foundation scholarship, and in 1855 he graduated B.A. with honours in the classical tripos. A brother, Dr George Rolleston, M.D., F.R.S. (d. 1881) was a distinguished professor of physiology at Oxford.
After leaving Cambridge Rolleston spent some time in private tuition, and in 1858 sailed for New Zealand in the Regina. He had made up his mind to go on the land, and without delay took up a run at Mount Algidus in the forks of the Rakaia, close to Lake Coleridge. Rolleston threw himself heart and soul into the arduous work of landowning and did everything possible to improve his property, particularly in the treatment of the soil and the planting of trees. The fact that much of the surrounding country was explored by him accounts for the prevalence of classical names in the neighbourhood. Later he took up a property on the sea coast near the mouth of the Rangitata river, where he lived during most of his public life.
Rolleston took an early interest in public affairs. In 1863 he was appointed a member of a select commission to suggest a scheme of education for the province, his colleagues being Tancred, Dr Lillie, and Saunders. They visited all the schools in the province and brought down a report which recommended placing the whole of them under the control of a board of education. In 1875, when he held the more responsible position of Superintendent and had a Colonial position as well, Rolleston said: 'Our best policy would be to make education free in all Government schools; and such a result is, as I think, but the corollary upon the adoption of any responsibility by the state in the matter of education.' Two years later, when the Colonial system was under discussion, he declared himself convinced that the education provided by the state should also be secular. At the end of 1863, when Bealey was Superintendent, Rolleston was persuaded to let himself be elected for Heathcote to the Provincial Council, and to assume the office of provincial secretary, which he held until Jun 1865. In that year gold digging commenced at various points on the western side of the Alps, and in Mar a great rush of miners set in to Westland from other provinces of New Zealand and from Australia. Though Canterbury was a pastoral province, it was essential that she should see that people on both sides of the range reaped the fruits of the new prosperity. As provincial secretary, Rolleston proceeded across the range with Rochfort and other officers to set up the machinery of government there. Rolleston and Hall, as representing the Canterbury government, and Dobson, Rochfort, and the other officials who went with them, did everything possible to meet the emergency. Rolleston's part was so well done that when Bealey retired from the superintendency in the middle of 1866, he was requested (but declined) to stand for the chief magistracy. He was, in fact, deeply engrossed in the duties of Under-secretary for Native Affairs, which he accepted in Jun 1865 at the invitation of Weld and carried out with zeal and efficiency for three years. In this post he demonstrated not merely his interest in education and his sympathy with the Maori people, but his capacity for administration. His term of office had a most beneficial effect upon the native village school system.
In May 1868 Rolleston resigned from the Native office to devote his full attention to provincial affairs. The superintendency had again become vacant and his supporters, preferring his caution to the freer disposition of Moorhouse, persuaded him to stand. He was duly elected, and took office as a strong provincialist, but not altogether satisfied with the provincial system as it then existed. He frankly wanted it simplified, but did not look with favour on the proposal, which was then before the country, for the severance of the whole of the province south of the Rangitata and its erection, for all practical purposes, into a separate province. He was quite willing to give the southern district the whole of its revenue for local works, but 'unity of government' (he declared) 'is essential to our future greatness as a nation.' He took a strong stand also upon the administration of the railways, which he contended must be independent of the changing politics of the day. On the constitutional question Rolleston strove hard for a solution of the friction that existed amongst council, superintendent, and executive. In common with such shrewd provincialists as Ormond and McLean, he believed that the superintendent should have a seat in the council and be in close touch with it, instead of communicating by means of messages and addresses. He went so far as to be nominated for a seat in the Council, but at the last moment withdrew and sought a solution in another direction by offering to regard the whole Council as his executive and to carry on the administration himself with the assistance of a clerk or two. From the outset of his superintendency he saw clearly the spectre of abolition in the future and urged his Council to take steps betimes to simplify and improve the system, though unquestionably it had enabled Canterbury to do very much for herself. During his superintendency Rolleston promoted immigration as the best precaution against slumps in the future. Though he strongly opposed the Vogel policy of borrowing, he entered heart and soul into the immigration proposals, and was proud of the fact that the population of Canterbury increased from 45,000 in 1870 to 59,000 in 1874.
Rolleston had to defend the superintendency in 1870 against Moorhouse, who came out unexpectedly as a candidate and was defeated by 1,800 votes to 897. At the end of that term he was re-elected unopposed, and saw the provincial system to its close. He promoted public works throughout the province, especially the harbour works at Lyttelton and Timaru, and the railways, which, however, were taken over by the General Government before the abolition. In Feb 1876 Rolleston presided at the opening of the railway from Christchurch to Timaru, and a few days later at the opening of the Amberley line. To meet the discontent of the outdistricts, he agreed to the setting up of the Timaru and Gladstone board of works, which for several years before the abolition, had the spending of the whole of the revenues raised in its district. He took an interest in the establishment of the Museum at Christchurch, which he opened, and the words cut over the entrance door were placed there by him at a later date. A provincial exhibition was held during his superintendency. The question of education was never at rest for long. In 1870, and again in 1874, bills were passed by the Provincial Council dealing with the Canterbury system, which was one of the most successful in the colony. Rolleston strongly opposed the administration of education by the executive of the day. He believed that salaries of teachers and administration should be entirely removed from the vicissitudes of party politics. When an ordinance was presented to him in 1875, which proposed to hand over the administration to the executive, he refused to sign it.
In the parliamentary struggles on abolition, Rolleston staunchly defended the provinces, and was able to adduce good evidence from the case of Canterbury that they had justified themselves. When at length they were extinguished, in 1876, he received a valuable mark of the esteem of the people of Canterbury. A few weeks after his election to the superintendency in 1868 Rolleston was elected unopposed to succeed Reeves as member for Avon in the General Assembly. He went to Wellington well equipped by official experience in native matters, and he launched a well-informed attack upon the native policy of the Stafford government, which he declared could never produce peace on the west coast of the North Island. Next year he moved for the appointment of a commission to visit every native district and ascertain the position of the natives. Rolleston's position in the House steadily improved, and he was plainly marked out for office as soon as the party which he supported should gain the ascendancy. The great popularity of Grey staved this off for a while. Rolleston had come out in 1873 as a champion against the 'gridironers' in Canterbury, and many of his supporters could not understand how he could oppose Grey in 1877. When at length Grey's government came to an end (Oct 1879) and Hall took office, Rolleston was entrusted with the departments of Lands, Immigration, and Education, for each of which he had special qualifications. Later he took also Justice and Mines, and for a few months in 1881, during the retirement of Bryce from the ministry, he administered Native Affairs. Always cautious, and leaning towards clemency to the Maori, he was reluctant to put into effect the Parihaka policy which was eventually adopted by the government. Rolleston resigned from the cabinet, but when the policy was adopted he insisted on signing the proclamation, and when Bryce set about carrying it through Rolleston proceeded to Pungarehu, and by his presence identified himself with the Government. Though he had to bear the odium which this policy excited in a South Island constituency, he was returned unopposed for Avon at the general election of 1881.
Rolleston in the next few years put into effect some liberal ideas in land legislation. He believed in deferred payments, but he feared to establish a tenantry either of the moneylenders or of the crown. Preferring the latter as the less evil, he introduced the perpetual lease into his land bill of 1882. Continuing to hold the portfolios of Lands, Mines, and Immigration in the Whitaker and Atkinson governments, he got the perpetual lease extended in 1884. At the general election in that year he defeated A. Cox for Geraldine, but on the retirement of the Atkinson government a few weeks later he became a private member. In 1887 he was defeated for Rangitata by S. Buxton. In 1890 he fought the Halswell seat against F. S. Parker, and won, and during this Parliament he was leader of the Opposition. In 1893 he again sustained defeat (in the Ellesmere electorate), his opponent being W. H. Montgomery. At the general election in 1896 Rolleston defeated G. W. Russell for Riccarton by 1,834 to 1,443. In 1899 the tables were turned, Russell winning by a single vote (1,867 and 1,866).
Rolleston then retired definitely from politics. Amongst his activities outside of Parliament education always had him as its servant. For many years he acted on the Canterbury education board. For a few years (1873-75) he was a member of the board of governors of Canterbury College. From the foundation of the New Zealand University in 1871 until his death he was a member of the senate. He was also on the governing body of Christ's College from its early years until his death. The foundation of the Deaf and Dumb Institution at Sumner in 1880 was due almost entirely to the interest which he took in the matter as Minister for Education. Many Canterbury educational buildings came into existence during his administration as Superintendent and as Minister, and he took steps to endow them from the landed estate of the province. After the election of 1899 Rolleston retired to his estate at Rangitata, where he died on 8 Feb 1903. He married in 1865 Elizabeth Mary, daughter of Joseph Brittan, one of the Canterbury Pilgrims. Two of his sons, FRANCIS JOSEPH (born 1873) and JOHN CHRISTOPHER (born 1877), became members of the House of Representatives in 1922. The former was Attorney-general and Minister for Justice and Defence in the Coates ministry (1926-28).
Gisborne says of Rolleston: 'There is nothing volatile, in the ordinary sense, about Rolleston; on the contrary a vein of doggedness runs through his nature. When he wavers it is from excess of conscientious doubt as to what is right, but he is firm enough in trying to do it when convinced, and that quality has made him from time to time amenable to the logic of facts. As Minister for Lands, he has been liberal, prudent, and far-sighted, and has done much to discourage mere speculation and to promote real settlement. He is a very good administrator. He dislikes red tape and procrastination, and has a horror of the system of how not to do a thing which he thinks should be done. He has a great aptitude for official business, and in its transaction he is clear, methodical, and industrious. He is intelligent, well-educated, earnest, and animated by the highest motives. What he lacks is decision of character and definiteness of purpose. He is too sensitive and emotional. His feelings are too highly charged, and move him to and fro by jerks and starts. He is so anxious to do what is right that he is more afraid of doing what is wrong; and he wavers between opposite poles. These dual forces make his political motives somewhat unsteady, and, in a party view, irregular.' Saunders says: 'He was the most profound thinker, the most highly educated, the best read, and the most experienced and well-informed minister upon practical political questions. His fastidious determination to say exactly the right thing in exactly the right words made him usually hesitate over the selection until the main effect of his speech was spoiled.
'As a writer or conversationalist he was effective, interesting, and very original.' Sir Robert Stout said: 'I do not know anyone who gave a better example of what classical culture could do in humanising mankind. It was an education in itself to discuss with him some literary, historical, or political subject.'
App. H.R., 1901, A4; Cant. P.C. Proc.; N.Z.P.D., pass (notably 30 Jun 1903); Gisborne (p); Cox; Saunders (p); Reeves; E. Wakefield; Beaglehole; 1901; The Press, 10, 16, 19, 20, 22 Feb 1903, 19 Mar 1903, 2 Apr 1903, 8 Mar 1990 (p). Portrait: Parliament House.
Volume 2, page 129NZ War Graves
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Wellington City Council Archives
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Masterton Library Wairarapa Archive
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BillionGraves (NZ cemeteries)
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://billiongraves.com/api/1.3/search
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Source: BillionGraves / limited search result excerpts for non-commercial personal research
| Name | Born | Died | Cemetery | Region |
| William Rolleston | 19 Sep 1831 🔍 | 8 Feb 1903 🔍 📰 | Holy Trinity Anglican Cemetery, Avonside | Canterbury |
| John William Rolleston | 15 Apr 1912 🔍 | 23 Apr 1993 🔍 | Saint Mary's Church Cemetery, Esk Valley | Canterbury |
NZSG Kiwi Collection (non-member records)
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHWith the kind permission of the NZSG
Source: Kiwi Collection copyright The New Zealand Society of Genealogists
| Name | Date | Record Type |
|---|---|---|
| ROLLESTON, John William 🔍 | 1993 | NZ Probates |
| ROLLESTON, John William 🔍 | Auckland War Memorial Museum - Cenotaph | |
| ROLLESTON, William 🔍 | 17 Feb 1903 | NZ Probates |
| ROLLESTON, William Whakaraka (Bill) 🔍 | 14 Sep 1995 | NZ Herald Deaths |
| ROLLESTON, William Whakaraka (Bill) 🔍 | 16 Sep 1995 | NZ Herald Deaths |
Puke Ariki Collections - People
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Hocken Digital Collections
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Source: University of Otago Library, Hocken Collection / personal study and ... research
Discover EverAfter (NZ Cemeteries)
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://discovereverafter.com/
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Wikidata People (New Zealanders)
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHSource: WikiData / CC0
| Name | Description | Image |
| William Rolleston | New Zealand politician (1831–1903) |  |
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FamilySearchGENiGeneanetNominal rolls: Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force
William Rolleston 🔍 ASHEmbarkation nominal rolls of Army troops who served overseas in WWII. They are not exhaustive and generally do not include Navy and Air Force servicemembers.
Source: Auckland Museum / CC BY 4.0
| Name | Army No. | Vol. | Rank | Unit | Single? | Enlisted at | Occupation | Last NZ Address | Next of Kin |
| 🌳 John William Rolleston | 11422 | 3 | Second Lieutenant | Infantry Reinforcements | Single | Timaru | Solicitor | 25 Le Crens Tce., Timaru | Mrs. Winifred M. Rolleston, 25 Le Crens Tce., Timaru (mother) |